Our bodies grow and develop as cells divide and then eventually die. Our bodies are nothing more than a collection of these different types of cells. According to the American Cancer Society, cancer is the abnormal growth of cells and cancer cells do not die but continue to divide and grow, with most types of cancer yielding tumors. Cancer can travel to other parts of the body affect other tissues and organs. Cancers are named for the place that it originated in the body and different forms of cancer are very different diseases requiring different treatments and presenting different symptoms. There are several cancers that are common in the population.
Skin Cancer
According to Familydoctor.org, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer with more than 1 million people being diagnosed with skin cancer each year. Skin cancer is preventable in most cases as it is usually caused by exposure to too much sun or other ultraviolet light. Skin cancer is also the most curable of all cancers, but as with most cancers, early detection is important.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is a very prevalent cancer that forms within the tissues of the lung, usually in the air passages. There are two main types of lung cancer: small cell and non-small cell. According to MedicineWorld.org, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in American men and women and is responsible for more than 160,000 deaths per year. Smoking tobacco is one of the greatest risk factors for contracting lung cancer, making this form of cancer preventable in many cases. Cough, shortness of breath, coughing up blood and a change in voice can all be symptoms of cancer in the lungs.
Colon Cancer
The colon is the terminal end of the large intestine and ends at the rectum. Cancers that form in the colon or the rectum are very similar in nature and are often combined as colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer originates from polyps which are small harmless growths that form on the walls of the colon. Colorectal cancer can be deadly and symptoms can include back pain, bloody stool and stomach cramping.
Prostate Cancer
The prostate is a small walnut sized gland in men that produces sperm nourishing seminal fluid, according to Mayo Clinic. It is found only in men, and therefore prostate cancer only occurs in men. It is one of the most common cancers found in men and usually grows slowly. Some forms of prostate cancer may not cause any serious harm and may not require treatment, but other forms can metastasize and can cause serious dysfunction and death. Common signs of prostate cancer can include trouble urinating, blood in the urine, bone pain and pelvic pain.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer can occur in both men and women but is far more common in women. According to Mayo Clinic, breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer in women and is the second-leading cause of cancer death in American women.
